ENGLAND World Cup hero Lawrence Dallaglio looks set to give Wasps a huge New Year boost by agreeing fresh contract terms with the Zurich Premiership champions.

A two-year deal is the likely outcome of negotiations which would end considerable interest among top French clubs for Dallaglio's services.

Dallaglio, capped 65 times, is among 13 Wasps players whose contracts expire following the current campaign.

"Having worked so hard to get Wasps where they are, it would not be the right time to move away," he said.

"When I have come to the end of my previous contracts with Wasps I haven't been driven by money. There are other things to consider, like the quality of coaching at the club and lifestyle, and I'm very happy with those at the moment.

"In saying that, the deal has to be the right deal, and hopefully we will come to that position. It depends what is on the table in terms of contract length.

"If we can agree terms, it seems likely that I will play the rest of my career here. These things are never very easy, but we have opened negotiations," added 31-year-old Dallaglio, who joined Wasps in 1992.

"I have been linked to clubs in France and have made no secret that was a possibility. I think I would be able to fit in pretty easily anywhere, but the important thing for me is to play at the top of the game, and this club is at the top of its game at the moment."

Wasps rugby director Warren Gatland, who believes that Dallaglio is currently world rugby's finest No 8, added, "It's between him, his agent and the club at the moment, and we are hoping to secure his services for another two seasons.

"The shape he is in, and the way he looks after himself, I'm sure he can go on and meet the challenge of playing for the Lions in 2005."

Dallaglio helped Wasps secure a 26-10 victory over Sale Sharks on Sunday that kept his team in second spot, 10 points behind leaders Bath but well on course for a Twickenham return and this season's title play-off final.

Sale are now one of four clubs on 36 points, four points off the play-off zone, and Sharks boss Jim Mallinder admitted, "Wasps are definitely the best team we have played this season."

Bath made it 13 wins from 14 starts by defeating Rotherham at Millmoor, but the Premiership's basement club battled defiantly before going down 34-18 in front of a season's-best 6,000 crowd.

"Bath came here as Premiership leaders and we matched them all the way. I'm gutted that we didn't come away with a win," said Rotherham coach Steph Nel.